Lockheed Martin announced on Monday (22) that important components of the new F-16V Block 70/72 will be manufactured in Poland. Starting in 2022, PZL Mielec, Lockheed's Polish subsidiary, will produce a number of parts for the program.
PZL will be responsible for manufacturing the aft and forward fuselages, cockpit structure and side s and forward equipment compartment.
The products will be shipped to the F-16 final production line in Greenville, South Carolina. Lockheed stresses that the last time PZL was involved in fighter production was in the 1960s.
"Today's announcement reinforces our commitment to PZL Mielec and to the growth of Lockheed Martin's industrial presence in Poland, where we currently employ around 1.600 people directly and maintain the work of more than 5.000 people in the Polish supply chain," said Robert Orzylowski, director of Lockheed Martin for Poland, Central and Eastern Europe.
“During our more than 20-year strategic partnership with Poland, we have provided technology transfer, research and development opportunities, sustainable long-term high-tech jobs, growth and exports,” adds Orzylowski. "Poland's acquisition of the F-35 opened the door to further expansion of this relationship and helped make today's exciting announcement possible."
In 2019, Poland announced the acquisition of 32 F-35A fighters. Furthermore, the Polish Air Force already has 48 F-16C/D Block 52+ fighters. At the Dubai Airshow, Lockheed revealed it has orders for 128 new F-16s and sees a total market of 300 or more, including jets on order.
“The F-16 remains a critical part of the Polish Air Force”, said Danya Trent, Lockheed Martin vice president for the F-16 program. “This new production job at PZL Mielec will further secure Poland as part of the global F-16 company for years to come.”
